Watchband release button spanner push tool

ABSTRACT

A watchband release button spanner tool includes a central spanner body and two watch pin engagement tabs that extend from opposing sides of the spanner body. The spanner body generally comprises a substantially disc-shaped body. Each pin engagement tab includes a raised knob member that protrudes from the pin engagement tab, and each raised knob member is surmounted by a watch case release pin engagement probe configured to interact with a wristwatch case release pin in order to engage the release pin so as to permit separation of a band segment from the watch case.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Pat. Application Serial No. 63/339,229, filed May 6, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The present invention pertains generally to watch-repair tools and, more particularly, to tools for separating a watch case from a watchband.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a wristwatch includes a case and a watchband (or simply “band”). The case carries the components or mechanisms of the wristwatch, including the face. The band extends away from the case, so as to be able to wrap around the wrist of a user, thereby securing the wristwatch to the user. In some instances, the case and band are integral. However, more typically, the band is a separate part that is attached to the case. In some embodiments, the case includes a pin that captures the band, thereby attaching the band to the case. To detach the band from the case, the pin needs to be removed. In some instances, band removal is accomplished with a special tool. However, in many instances, a user needs to visit a specialty store or have the assistance of technician in order to remove the band.

Thus, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 10,327,520, assigned to Apple Inc., discloses an attachment system for connecting and releasing a removable module that interfaces with some portion of a wearable electronic device (such as a watch). For example, a watch can include locking mechanisms that allow a user to connect a watchband to a watch housing by moving the watchband directly toward the watch housing. An attachment unit of a watchband can be moved in a direction along its own longitudinal axis to securely engage the watch housing. Once engaged, one or more locking mechanisms limit longitudinal movement of the attachment unit away from the watch housing. One or more locking mechanisms also limit lateral movement of the attachment unit with respect to the watch housing until a user releases the one or more locking mechanisms and enables the lateral movement.

A need is still felt for an easy-to-use tool that allows a user to manipulate a wristwatch case so as to detach a band from the case without the assistance of a technician or other watch professional.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept.

In various example embodiments according to the present general inventive concept, a watchband release button spanner tool includes a central spanner body and two watch pin engagement tabs that extend from opposing sides of the spanner body. The spanner body generally comprises a substantially disc-shaped body with a watch-facing surface and an opposing surface, along with at least one or two raised lip portions situated near the perimeter or outer edge of the spanner body. Each pin engagement tab includes a raised knob member that protrudes from the pin engagement tab from the watch-facing surface, and each raised knob member is surmounted by a watch case release pin engagement probe configured to interact with a wristwatch case release pin in order to engage the release pin so as to permit separation of a band segment from the watch case.

To separate band segments and from a case, release pins on the case are depressed. To use the watchband release button spanner tool, the tool is positioned over the case, with the watch-facing surface of the spanner body oriented such that one watch pin engagement tab positioned proximate each release pin. A user presses the each watch pin engagement tab in turn (or both or all simultaneously) so that the pin engagement probes depress the release pins, thereby releasing the band segments.

In some embodiments, the spanner body is substantially circular in shape. In some embodiments, the spanner body is substantially square, rectangular, or oval shaped.

In some embodiments, the watchband release button spanner tool is fabricated from a molded plastic material. In some embodiments, the plastic makes a distinctive clicking sound when the pin engagement tabs are pressed during use.

In some embodiments of the watchband release button spanner tool, the spanner member is approximately 40 millimeters in diameter; this diameter permits a reasonably good fit with the dimensions of some wristwatches marketed to women. In some embodiments, the spanner member is approximately 44 millimeters in diameter; this diameter permits a reasonably good fit with the dimensions of some wristwatches marketed to men.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and additional features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a watchband release button spanner tool according to one example embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 1B is a planar view of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a side view of the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the example embodiment watchband release button spanner tool of the previous Figures in use with a wristwatch;

FIG. 3A is a close-up view of the example embodiment watchband release button spanner tool of the previous Figures in use with a wristwatch, showing release of one portion or segment of the band; and

FIG. 3B is a close-up view of the example embodiment watchband release button spanner tool of the previous Figures in use with a wristwatch, showing release of the second portion or segment of the band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and illustrations. The example embodiments are described herein in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures.

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the structures and fabrication techniques described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modification, and equivalents of the structures and fabrication techniques described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. The progression of fabrication operations described are merely examples, however, and the sequence type of operations is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, description of well-known functions and constructions may be simplified and/or omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

Note that spatially relative terms, such as “up,” “down,” “right,” “left,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over or rotated, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

As noted above, a wristwatch generally includes a case and a band. The case carries the components or mechanisms of the wristwatch, including the face. The band extends away from the case, typically in two segments or portions, each one radiating away from opposing sides of the case. The band segments are wrapped around the wrist of a user and then joined (through one of multiple known means or mechanisms), thereby securing the wristwatch to the user’s wrist. Typically, the band is a separate part that is attached to the case. In some embodiments, such as with smartwatches produced by Apple Inc., the case includes a pin that captures the band, thereby attaching the band to the case. To detach the band from the case, the pin needs to be removed. In some instances, band removal is accomplished with a special tool.

Turning to the Figures, FIG. 1A shows a watchband release button spanner tool 10 according to one example embodiment of the present general inventive concept. In the illustrated example embodiment, the watchband release button spanner tool 10 includes a central spanner body 20 and two watch pin engagement tabs 32 a and 32 b that extend from opposing sides of the spanner body 20. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the spanner body 20 generally comprises a substantially disc-shaped body with a watch-facing surface 22 and an opposing surface (not shown or numbered in FIGS. 1A-C). The spanner body 20 further includes two raised lip portions 24 a and 24 b situated near the perimeter or outer edge of the spanner body 20. In the illustrated example embodiment, the spanner body is substantially circular in shape and appearance; however, other shapes are compatible with the design and function of the watchband release button spanner tool (such as square, rectangular, or oval spanner bodies), and such alternative embodiments are contemplated by the present general inventive concept. Each pin engagement tab includes a raised knob member that protrudes from the pin engagement tab from the watch-facing surface 22, and each raised knob member is surmounted by a watch case release pin engagement probe (hereinafter “pin engagement probe”) configured to interact with, for example, a wristwatch case release pin in order to engage the release pin so as to permit separation of a band segment from the watch case. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1C and elsewhere, the first pin engagement tab 32 a includes a raised knob member 34 a surmounted by a pin engagement probe 36 a; and the second pin engagement tab 32 b includes a raised knob member 34 b surmounted by a pin engagement probe 36 b.

FIG. 2 presents a view showing a use of the example embodiment watchband release button spanner tool with a wristwatch. As shown in FIG. 2 and in the close-up views in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the illustrated example watch case 40 includes a case body 41 with a “back” face and two release pins 42 a and 42 b positioned on or near the back face, proximate opposing sides of the case 40. The case 40 generally also includes a back plate 44 (which allows access to the internal mechanisms of the case 40). The case 40 is configured to receive and attach to two band segments 52 and 54. To separate the band segments 52 and 54 from the case 40, the release pins 42 a and 42 b are depressed. To use the watchband release button spanner tool 10, as shown in FIG. 2 , the tool 10 is positioned over the back face of the case body 41, with the watch-facing surface of the spanner body 20 oriented to face the back face of the case body 41, with at least some substantial portion of the spanner body 20 positioned over the back plate 44 (generally with the raised lip portions 24 a and 24 b of the spanner body 20 substantially surrounding the back plate 44), and with one watch pin engagement tab positioned proximate each release pin. As shown in FIG. 3A, a user presses the first watch pin engagement tab 32 a so that the first pin engagement probe 36 a depresses the first release pin 42 a, thereby releasing the first band segment 52. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3B, a user presses the second watch pin engagement tab 32 b so that the second pin engagement probe 36 b depresses the second release pin 42 b, thereby releasing the second band segment 54.

In some embodiments, the watchband release button spanner tool is fabricated from a molded plastic material. In some embodiments, the plastic makes a distinctive clicking sound when the pin engagement tabs are pressed during use.

In some embodiments of the watchband release button spanner tool, the spanner member is approximately 40 millimeters in diameter; this diameter permits a reasonably good fit with the dimensions of some wristwatches marketed to women. In some embodiments, the spanner member is approximately 44 millimeters in diameter; this diameter permits a reasonably good fit with the dimensions of some wristwatches marketed to men.

Various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept provide an easy-to-use tool that allows a user to manipulate a wristwatch case so as to detach a band from the case without the assistance of a technician or other watch professional.

Numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. For example, regardless of the content of any portion of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, there is no requirement for the inclusion in any claim herein or of any application claiming priority hereto of any particular described or illustrated activity or element, any particular sequence of such activities, or any particular interrelationship of such elements. Moreover, any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any element can be duplicated.

It is noted that the simplified diagrams and drawings included in the present application do not illustrate all the various connections and assemblies of the various components, however, those skilled in the art will understand how to implement such connections and assemblies, based on the illustrated components, figures, and descriptions provided herein, using sound engineering judgment. Numerous variations, modification, and additional embodiments are possible, and, accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant’s general inventive concept. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A watchband release button spanner tool comprising: a central spanner body having a substantially disc-shaped body with a watch-facing surface, an opposing surface, and a disc perimeter; and at least two watch pin engagement tabs extending from opposing sides of the spanner body, each pin engagement tab including a raised knob member protruding from the pin engagement tab from the watch-facing surface, and each raised knob member being surmounted by a watch case release pin engagement probe configured to interact with a wristwatch case release pin in order to engage the release pin so as to permit separation of a band segment from the watch case.
 2. The watchband release button spanner tool of claim 1, further comprising a raised lip situated near the disc perimeter of the spanner body.
 3. The watchband release button spanner tool of claim 2, wherein the raised lip includes at least two raised lip portions.
 4. The watchband release button spanner tool of claim 1, wherein the watchband release button spanner tool is fabricated from a molded plastic material.
 5. The watchband release button spanner tool of claim 4, wherein the plastic material makes a distinctive clicking sound when the pin engagement tabs are pressed during use. 